Due to works in the Kleine Meer area, there is a diversion on walking route Ree. The route is now slightly shorter, depending on which starting point you choose. Follow the diversion in the terrain or follow the route via the experience map.
Quite an impromptu hike so was surprised of the detour. Well, not overly since nature repair works is an ongoing effort. Removing exotic species (flora), reintroducing dunes, repairing paths, etc.
During the hike I saw more sheep and cattle than people. They help maintaining the environment (heather and dunes) as is. Some people are not happy about the cutting (or girdling) of trees. Pros and cons for both stances sometimes overlapping ideologies since vulnerable fauna is housing in exotic trees… Quite disturbing that people introduced exotic species just for aesthetics or to impress others of their wealth. Hopefully they were just not aware of the consequences.
It was clearly abundant the holiday season was over, cattle have retaken ownership, heavy machinery is carrying out nature repair works and – perhaps most important – fewer visitors. I don’t mind people visiting but you can spot a tourist or the occasional hiker and the seasoned hiker or nature enthusiast. It is depressing the state of the park after one set of visitors have left.
Back to the trail. Originally the longest of the park with 15mi (24km). As mentioned you have to climb over fences as you pass through wild grazer’s areas. Be aware they are “wild” and not your average (disinterested looking) cow in the field. Visitors are advised to keep a minimum of 80ft (25m) distance. On one occasion I took a detour as a herd was chillaxing right at such a gate. On another one I had a right turn or I would have been blocked. And even on a third one I was able to pass them as they came out of a swampy area back onto the path. Unlike on my hikes on vacation at the Belgian coast I also noticed the presence of rabbits but never actually saw one here.
The works are scheduled to last till spring 2026. I will be walking the original route once reopened. Also noting that the trail was blocked by grazers at the same spot on the Black Mound trail. Back then I assumed they were just hiding from the sun but I am starting to suspect they “just hang out there” most of the time.
It is increasingly getting difficult to complete all trails. I have been informed the Rabbit trail may not be reinstated after the works but Grebe (same area) will be.
Due to the distance it might not be a for all hike. Also take notice of the sections of dusty sands or potentially muddy areas (specifically the straight line on the left on the map above Groote Meer) and the possibility of having to make a detour (and I don’t mean walking off the paths but taking a different path) because of wild grazers.
Celtic Belgae 